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PRP (PLATELET RICH PLASMA)

What is PRP?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is the portion of the blood from which red and white blood cells are removed, resulting in a plasma component rich in blood platelets as well as various growth factors (PDGF’s). These components are continuously circulating through our blood vessels to assist in tissue healing and regeneration when required, but at much lower concentrations. Due to the higher concentration of growth factors in PRP, it can be clinically applied for its healing properties. In regenerative medicine, PRP is often combined with stem cell therapy as it contains the necessary growth factors to enable stem cells to mature and differentiate into various specialized cell types. PRP also contain certain factors that recruit cells to specific sites for healing and regeneration.

PRP Procedure

First in the PRP procedure is the collection of peripheral venous blood in yellow top tubes containing an anti-clotting factor. Centrifugation ensues to separate red blood cells from white blood cells & platelets. After centrifugation, the plasma containing the platelets is collected taking special care to not collect any inflammation-inducing red or white cells. A second centrifugation concentrates the platelets to prepare the final PRP product. The Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) is collected from the top of the tube downward toward the pellet until the appropriate treatment amount of PRP is left in the tube. The tube is inverted a few times to resuspend the pellet formed during centrifugation and special care is taken to avoid platelet clot formation. The PRP is now prepared for injection into the affected area.